Closure for batteries



March 23, l 937.

v G. W. HEISE CLOSURE FOR BATTERIES Filed Sept. 18, 1931 BY I ATTORNEYS Patented Mar 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 2,014,506 CLOSURE FOB. BATTERIES George W. Heise, North Olmsted, Ohio, assignor,

by mesne assignments,

to Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, a corporation of New York Application September 18, 1931, Serial No. 563,629

13 Claims.

The invention is a new means and method of sealing the air inlet of an air depolarized reserve *cell to exclude air and moisture while the cell is in reserve condition.

The preferred form to a water-activated type of air tic soda reserve cell having a gas -pervious carbon cathode a portionof which is exposed to the atmosphere outside of the cell casing for the purpose of admitting atmospheric oxygen. The anode is zinc, and when the cell is in reserve condition, the electrolyte active material, which is preferably hydrated caustic soda, is cast in a block around the portion of the elements within the cell.

One object is to provide a seal for the air inlet of such a cell to exclude water, moisture, carbon dioxide, etc., while the cell is in reserve condition. Another object is to provide a new method of applying such a seal. Another object is to provide a seal that may be readily removed when the cell is activated and placed in service. Another object is to provide a seal that occupies a mimmum amount of space and is not liable to premature breakage. Other objects are to provide a seal that is low in cost, neat in appearance, and economical to apply. Still other aims, ob-

depolarized causiects, and novel features, are disclosed by the following specification tration in which:

Fig. l is a sldeview of the cell, partially in secand the accompanying illustion, showing my seal in place; and,

Fig. 2 is a top view of the cell shown in Fig. 1.

In a cell of the type described the carbon electrode may be sufficiently gas permeable to permit water vapor and carbon dioxide to penetrate into the battery. In consequence, there may be considerable degree of liquefaction of the electrolyte ingredient when the cell remains in reserve condition for a long period of time. This permits an accumulation of concentrated electrolyte solution at the bottom of the battery case and prevents the i'ormation of a solution of uniform concentration when water is added to activate the cell. In casethe zinc is bared, excessive corrosion may take place, and the electrolyte mateof the invention is applied used to increase electrolyte capacity (Ci. Hit-88) creepage and disintegration trode itself.

I have found that these undesirable conditions can be avoided by placing a temporary seal over the air inlet, which in this case is the exposed end of the carbon electrode, to exclude gases and vapors while the cell is in reserve condition. Such a seal need not be perfect in order to attain the desired result as the entrance of a slight amount of gas and vapor will produce no serious injury even though the battery remains in reserve condition for a long time, and, under some conditions, 9. small opening through the temporary seal is desirable to prevent a change in pressure within the cell from that outside.

. As a seal I prefer a thin membrane or sheet of flexible material that is relatively impervious to gases and vapors such as regenerated cellulose in sheet form, viscose, waxed paper, and others having similar properties.

The invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the drawing which shows a preferred embodiment thereof having a battery casing ill divided by a a central partition or wall It into two compartments containing identical sets of cell elements of which only one is shown.

Each compartment contains one or more zinc anodes l2 and a porous carbon cathode It that extends upward through compartment cover It to the outer atmosphere to which the upper surface of the cathode is exposed when the cell is in operative condition. The joint between cover it and easing III is closed by a thermoplastic compound IB, and the joint between cathode II and cover It is closed by another thermoplastic compound it that may have different characteristics.

Duringthe assembly of the cell the active ingredient of the electrolyte, such as hydrated caustic soda, is cast in a block l'l around the portion of elements It and it within casing to.

In order to preserve the cell while in reserve condition the exposed surface of cathode is is sealed by covering it with a rectangular sheet of sealing or insulating material it, such as regenerated cellulose, having a margin that extends outward beyond the edge of the electrode ,5 to of an inch on all sides, and then applying heat to the portion of this margin over sealing compound ll until it adheres to the cellophane. This adhesion may be secured in other ways, such as by applying pressure to the regenerated cellulose before the sealing compound has entirely cooled.

of the carbon elec- This heat may be applied by any suitable means such as a soldering iron or other heated object of suitable shape The width of the strip where the regenerated sheet cellulose and sealing material adhere should be'comparatively narrow. I have found a width of $4; inch or less to be satisfactory and desirable. Also. a margin of at least V. inch. should be left outside this ,adhering portion to provide a grip where the seal may be grasped and pulled on when the cell is placed in service.

Another convenient method of applying heat to cause the seal and compound to adhere is by means of a hollow rectangle of metal having a lo face of suitable width. It has been found that,

although too much heat can be applied, the temperature may be easily regulated to produce satisfactory adhesion to the compound from which the seal may be readily stripped when the cell is 2 activated.

In case a small opening through the seal is desired the face of the rectangular heating iron may be provided with a notch so that for a space of to 56 of an inch there is no adhesion between the regenerated cellulose sheet and the sealing material. This small opening is suihcient to maintain atmospheric pressure within the cell without admitting a detrimental amount of either gas or moisture. This small opening through the temporary seal may also be secured by inserting apiece of strin'g, cord. thread, paper, or the like, under the edge of the membrane when it is applied to the sealing material. j

It .is evident. of course, that a rigid cover of metal or other material might be used to enclose the exposed portion of the electrode and be held in place by having the edge thereof, possibly downturned, imbedded in the thermoplastic compound surrounding the cathode. The use of a 40thin membrane as a seal is preferred, however.

because pressure within a cell will rupture it before other damage is caused. While such pressure within a cell is not expected, it may develop. however, from a defect in a cell or from other cause.

It is to be understood that equivalent materials may be employed in various alternative arrangements, as well as equivalent methods of sealing without departing from the spirit of my invention soor the scope ofmyclaims.

- I claim: 7

' 1. An air depolarized caustic soda cell of the water-activated type comprising a casing of dielectric material; .a plurality of elements within said casing including a gas pervious carbon cathode having an exposed portion outside of said casing: a block of hygroscopic electrolyte ingredient surrounding the portion of said elements within said casing; a thermoplastic sealing compound surrounding the exposed portion of said cathode; and a thin sheet of flexible waterproof material adhering tosaid compound and covering the exposed portion of said cathode thereby sealing it from contact with both atmosphere and moisture while the cell is in reserve condition but adapted to be readily removed when the cell is activated and placed in service.

2. An air depolarized caustic soda cell compris- 70 ing a casing; a plurality of elements within said casing including a gas pervious cathode having an exposed portion; a block of hygroscopic electrolyte ingredient surrounding the portion of said elements within said casing; a thermoplastic sealing compound surroun ding-the exposed portion of said cathode; and a sheet of flexible impervious material adhering to said sealing material and covering the exposed portion .of said cath- Ode thereby sealing it from contact with atmosphere while the cell is in reserve condition but adapted to be readily removed when the cell is activated and placed in service.

3. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing; a cathode having an exposed gas pervious portion outside of said casing; a hygroscopic electrolyte ingredient within said casing; a thermoplastic compound around the exposed portion of said cathode; and a flexible sheet of impervious material covering the exposed portion of said cathode and adhering to said compound.

4. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing; a cathode having an exposed moisture pervious portion outside of said casing; a thermoplastic compound around the exposed portion of said cathode; a component of said battery within said casing which is adversely aflected by normal atmosphere; and a thin sheet of material impervious to moisture covering the exposed portion of said cathode and adhering to said compound.

5. An air depolarized cell comprising a sealed casing; a gas pervious cathode having a portion exposed outside of said seal; a thermoplastic compound around said cathode; a hygroscopic gas reactive electrolyte forming material within said casing and a. sheet of insulating material covering the exposed portion of said cathode and ad-' hering to said compound.

6. An air depolarized cell comprising a sealed casing; a gas pervious cathode extending outward through said seal: a thermoplastic compound around said cathode; electrolyte forming material which is deleteriously affected by normal-atmosphere within said casing; and a sheet of insulating material covering the exposed portion of said cathode and adhering to said compound; said insulatingmaterial being less resistant to internal pressure than any other portionsof said cell.

7. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing: a cathode havingan exposed gas pervious portion outside of said casing: thermoplastic compound around the exposed portion of said cathode; a hygroscopic electrolyte forming material within said casing; and a sheet of covering the exposed portion of said cathode and adhering to said compound.

8. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing; a cathode having an exposed gas pervious portion outside of said casing; thermoplastic cornpound around the exposed portion of said cathode; a hygroscopic electrolyte material within said casing: and a sheet of waxed paper covering the exposed portion of said cathode and adhering to said compound.

-9. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing; a cathode having an exposed gas pervious portion outside of said casing; thermoplastic compound around the exposed portion of said cathode; an electrolyte material within said casing which is adversely aflected by normal atmosphere; and a sheet of regenerated cellulose covering the exposed portion of said cathode and adhering to said compound.

10. An air depolarised cell comprising a casing:

a cathode having an e portion outside of said casing and forming an air-inlet: an electrolyte ingredient within said casing which is ad- 11. An air depolarized cell comprising a castion of said electrode and adhering to said sealing; a cathode having an exposed gas pcrvious ing material. portion outside of said casi a hygroscopic elec- 13. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing, trolyte ingredient within said'casing; and a sheet a cover for said casing, said cover being provided of impervious material covering the exposed porwith an aperture, an electrode pervious to gas 5 tion of said cathode and adhering to said casing and moisture extending through said aperture, around said exposed portion. hygroscopic electrolyte-forming mateflal within 12. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing, said casing, sealing material on said cover and a gas and moisture reactive electrolyte ingredient surrounding said electrode, the upper surface or 10 within said casing; a cover having an aperture. said sealing material being substantially flush 10 an electrode pervious to moisture and gas exwith the upper surface of said electrode and tending through said aperture, a ridge on said means for sealing the exposed portion of said cover surrounding but spaced irom said aperture, electrode comprising a sheet oi material impersealing material between said electrode and said vious to moisture covering the upper suriace of 15 ridge, and means for sealing said cell against ensaid electrode and adhering to said sealing mal5 trance or gas and moisture comprising a sheet teriaL.

oi regenerated cellulose covering the exposed por- GEORGE W.

CER'I' IFI'CATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,074,506. March 23 1937 csoncs w. nmss.

' It is hereby certified-"that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3 second column, line '7, claim 13', after the word "hygroscopic" insert the words gas reactive; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the .case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of May, A. D. 1937.

Henry Van Arsdale' .(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

11. An air depolarized cell comprising a castion of said electrode and adhering to said sealing; a cathode having an exposed gas pcrvious ing material. portion outside of said casi a hygroscopic elec- 13. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing, trolyte ingredient within said'casing; and a sheet a cover for said casing, said cover being provided of impervious material covering the exposed porwith an aperture, an electrode pervious to gas 5 tion of said cathode and adhering to said casing and moisture extending through said aperture, around said exposed portion. hygroscopic electrolyte-forming mateflal within 12. An air depolarized cell comprising a casing, said casing, sealing material on said cover and a gas and moisture reactive electrolyte ingredient surrounding said electrode, the upper surface or 10 within said casing; a cover having an aperture. said sealing material being substantially flush 10 an electrode pervious to moisture and gas exwith the upper surface of said electrode and tending through said aperture, a ridge on said means for sealing the exposed portion of said cover surrounding but spaced irom said aperture, electrode comprising a sheet oi material impersealing material between said electrode and said vious to moisture covering the upper suriace of 15 ridge, and means for sealing said cell against ensaid electrode and adhering to said sealing mal5 trance or gas and moisture comprising a sheet teriaL.

oi regenerated cellulose covering the exposed por- GEORGE W.

CER'I' IFI'CATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,074,506. March 23 1937 csoncs w. nmss.

' It is hereby certified-"that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3 second column, line '7, claim 13', after the word "hygroscopic" insert the words gas reactive; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the .case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of May, A. D. 1937.

Henry Van Arsdale' .(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

